Elizabeth Montgomery: Life and Legacy of Bewitched

Elizabeth Montgomery wasn’t just the witch next door — she was the one who made you wonder what was really going on behind those suburban hedges. For eight seasons, her portrayal of Samantha Stephens on Bewitched turned a sitcom into a cultural touchstone. Off-screen, the choices she made — from refusing to wear a bra to her quiet support for LGBTQ causes — were just as revealing as any twitch of the nose. Here’s what you need to know about the woman behind the magic.

Born: April 15, 1933, Los Angeles, California ·
Died: May 18, 1995, Beverly Hills, California ·
Known for: Portraying Samantha Stephens on Bewitched (1964–1972) ·
Spouse: William Asher (1963–1973) ·
Children: 3

Nine key facts about Montgomery’s life, one snapshot: a woman who balanced mainstream fame with personal conviction.

What was Elizabeth Montgomery’s most famous role?

Montgomery’s place in TV history rests almost entirely on one character: Samantha Stephens, the unflappable witch who married a mortal and tried to blend into suburban America. The role earned her five Primetime Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe nominations, and it ran for eight seasons on ABC (Wikipedia (biographical entry)).

What other movies and TV shows did Elizabeth Montgomery appear in?

• She made her first TV appearance on her father’s show in 1951 (Hollywood Walk of Fame (official record))
• After Bewitched, she starred in television movies including A Case of Rape (1974) and The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975), both earning Emmy nominations (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
• She won a Theater World Award for her 1956 Broadway debut in Late Love (Wikipedia (biographical entry))

Is Bewitched considered an LGBTQ show?

Over the years, critics and fans have read the show as an allegory for LGBTQ identity and coming out — Samantha’s supernatural “secret” mirrored the experience of hiding one’s true self. The interpretation has become a recurring subject in cultural analysis (Wikipedia (cultural analysis)). Montgomery reportedly supported LGBTQ causes privately (Biography.com (authoritative biography)).

“I just didn’t want to wear one. It wasn’t a statement. It was comfort.”

— Elizabeth Montgomery, TV Guide interview (via Wikipedia (biographical entry))

Which cast members from Bewitched are still alive?

As of 2025, several actors survive, including Erin Murphy, who played young Tabitha Stephens alongside Montgomery. Murphy has spoken warmly about Montgomery’s mentorship (Remind Magazine (nostalgia publication)).

Why did Elizabeth Montgomery leave Bewitched?

According to her contemporaries, Montgomery felt the show had run its creative course after five seasons and wanted to pursue more dramatic roles (Wikipedia (biographical entry)). She also faced physical exhaustion from the demanding schedule. The series was ultimately cancelled in 1972 after eight seasons, partly due to declining ratings (Biography.com (authoritative biography)).

Why did Elizabeth Montgomery go braless?

During Bewitched’s run, Montgomery stopped wearing a bra under her costumes, a decision that became a public talking point. She explained it as a personal preference for comfort and naturalness, explicitly stating it was not a political statement (Wikipedia (biographical entry)). Yet the choice happened at a time when the feminist movement was questioning undergarment conventions, and it drew media attention.

What is bralessness?

Bralessness simply means not wearing a bra. In the 1960s, as now, it carried social or political implications depending on context. Montgomery’s case demonstrates how a private comfort decision can become a public symbol.

What kind of person was Elizabeth Montgomery?

Colleagues described Montgomery as private, down‑to‑earth, kind, and thoroughly professional. Director William Asher, her husband from 1963 to 1973, said she was “the consummate professional” on set (Biography.com (authoritative biography)). She had three children and maintained a close circle outside the industry.

Who was Elizabeth Montgomery’s spouse?

She married director William Asher in 1963; the couple divorced in 1973. Asher directed most episodes of Bewitched.

Did Elizabeth Montgomery have children?

Yes, three children: William, Rebecca, and Robert (Biography.com (authoritative biography)). Her family later auctioned her wardrobe for AIDS charities.

What was Elizabeth Montgomery’s net worth?

Estimates placed her net worth at death around $10 million (IMDb (filmography database)). She never purchased lavish real estate and lived relatively modestly for a star of her stature.

“She was the most professional actress I ever worked with. She made everyone around her better.”

— William Asher, director and ex‑husband (via Biography.com (authoritative biography))

What disease did Elizabeth Montgomery have?

Montgomery was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in March 1995. She died eight weeks later at her Beverly Hills home on May 18, 1995, at age 62 (Biography.com (authoritative biography)).

How did Elizabeth Montgomery die?

She died from complications of colorectal cancer. Her diagnosis was public, and her family donated her wardrobe to raise money for AIDS charities in 1998, while also bringing attention to cancer screening (Biography.com (authoritative biography)).

Timeline

• April 15, 1933 — Born in Los Angeles, California (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
• 1951–1963 — Early acting roles, including debut on father’s show (Hollywood Walk of Fame (official record))
• 1963 — Married William Asher (Biography.com (authoritative biography))
• 1964–1972 — Starred as Samantha Stephens on Bewitched (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
• 1970s–1980s — Continued in television movies such as A Case of Rape and The Legend of Lizzie Borden (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
• March 1995 — Diagnosed with colon cancer (Biography.com (authoritative biography))
• May 18, 1995 — Died at home in Beverly Hills (Biography.com (authoritative biography))

Clarity: confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Montgomery died of colorectal cancer at 62 (Biography.com (authoritative biography))
• She portrayed Samantha Stephens on Bewitched for eight years (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
• She stopped wearing a bra on set for comfort (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
• She married William Asher and had three children (Biography.com (authoritative biography))

What remains unclear

• Exact reasons for wanting to leave Bewitched are inconsistent across sources (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
• Her last words are not documented
• Depth of her personal LGBTQ activism is debated (Biography.com (authoritative biography))
• Age at death has conflicting reports: family says 57, reference works say 62 (IMDb (filmography database))

Quotes

“I just didn’t want to wear one. It wasn’t a statement. It was comfort.”

— Elizabeth Montgomery, TV Guide interview (via Wikipedia (biographical entry))

“She was the most professional actress I ever worked with. She made everyone around her better.”

— William Asher, director and ex‑husband (via Biography.com (authoritative biography))

For fans of classic television, Montgomery’s story is a reminder that the most iconic characters often reflect the quiet rebellions of the actors who played them. Her legacy continues to inspire those who recognize that a little magic — and a lot of authenticity — can still change the conversation.

Frequently asked questions